2 Janesvillians arrested in 'road rage' incident

MADISON—Two people from Janesville were arrested on New Year's Day after what Madison police described as a road rage incident on Madison's south beltline highway.

A 19-year-old Madison man told police he was merging from Stoughton Road onto the beltline around 4:11 p.m. Wednesday when a passenger in a pickup truck threw a handful of change at him through his open, driver's-side window.

The man followed the truck, and as he pulled up next to the truck, he could see someone pointing a weapon at him, according to a news release.

Frightened, the man backed off and called police, according to the release.

Police reported that they arrested the pickup's driver, Bernard B. Richards, 42, on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment, possession of firearm by felon, disorderly conduct while armed and carrying a concealed weapon.

Also arrested was a passenger in the pickup, Leslie A. Weil, 51, on charges of disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon.

Police report recovering a handgun from the truck and a knife from Weil's handbag.

Weil denied the coin tossing and told police the other driver had actually cut them off and had made a vulgar gesture at them, according to the news release.